Taxi Driver Online

Rochdale minicab drivers in protest


Sixty minicab drivers protested outside Rochdale council offices after two colleagues had their licenses suspended

Minicab drivers protested outside Rochdale council’s headquarters after two colleagues were stripped of their licences.

It comes after two private hire drivers were arrested following an attack near the Cask and Feathers pub in Oldham Road on Sunday December 1, which left two men with head injuries.

Two men, aged 18 and 20, were taken to hospital following the incident, but discharged themselves shortly afterwards.

But the 18-year-old took a turn for the worse and had to be readmitted.

Police arrested two minicab drivers, aged 23 and 33, on suspicion of section 18 wounding. They were questioned and released on bail.

But while inquiries are ongoing, the council has temporarily revoked their minicab licences on a temporary basis.

On Thursday fellow drivers protested against the decision.

Owner of Streamline Mohammed Rizaq said about 60 drivers took part.

He added: “If the police had charged them that would have been different. But they’ve not even been charged and the council has made a decision to take away their livelihood.

“They’re family people, they’ve got wives and children.”

Police confirmed the men had been bailed until January 21.

Director of economy and environment at Rochdale council Mark Widdup said: “We are aware of the allegations made against these private hire drivers.

“In the interest of public safety we have chosen to temporarily suspend their licences as a precautionary measure.”

source: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... d--6395768

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

This sort of thing seems to be creeping in all over the country. Councillors think they are both judge and jury. Innocent until proven guilty is what the law used to say.

I think the council should have waited until the drivers were at least charged.

But sec 18 does have a max sentence of life imprisonment, so some evidence of sort must have been apparent for them to be arrested for that offence.

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IDFIMH

Can't the drivers appeal the councils decision? That said the council are there to protect the public and if it had been a suspected rape how many of you would think the decision to revoke their licences was wrong

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

I'd rather the section of the act was used for this than over ranking

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Me to.

Me to (what)

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C. Oakes


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